| TITLE : Let Us Pray to Stop the War |
TEXT : Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 15:27:26 +0100
Subject: Let Us Pray to Stop the War
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Dear Friends,
The Pope has being acting diplomatically, praying and fasting for months so
that the war in Iraq would not start off. Many people throughout the world
did the same.
God did not accept our prayers and the hearts of those who could decide
remained cold to the suffering of the peoples and to the risks of further
terrorism and revenge.
I think however that, now that the dye is cast and bombs have taken the last
word, it is important to go with our mind to the last efforts of our Holy
Father to prevent this disaster.
As Catholic Doctors, we have to be ambassadors of peace, in our heart, in
our family, in our country and in the international field.
As Catholic Doctors, we are in a better position to understand the profound
wounds that war can cause on bodies and minds.
While we are certainly ready to do everything for helping those who will be
harmed, we cannot stop praying and acting so that war ends as soon as
possible and with maximum respect for human persons, especially civilians
and children.
The following words by the Pope are for your meditation.
Gian Luigi Gigli
President of FIAMC
"NEVER AGAIN WAR!" POPE EXHORTS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
VATICAN CITY, MAR 16, 2003 (VIS) - During today's Angelus, Pope John Paul
issued his strongest appeal yet to the United Nations Security Council to
forego the use of arms in Iraq, saying "the use of force must represent the
last recourse," and he entreated Iraq to fully cooperate with the
international community. Recalling that he had personally experienced war,
he pleaded "Never again war!"
The Pope began his remarks by saying that "only Christ can renew hearts
and give hope again to peoples. Today's liturgy, presenting the mysterious
event of the Transfiguration, makes us feel the power of His light, that
overcomes the darkness of doubt and evil.
"In this perspective of faith, I wish to extend a pressing appeal to
increase the commitment to prayer and penance, to ask Christ for the gift of
His peace. Without conversion of the heart there is no peace."
The Holy Father continued: "The next days will be decisive for the outcome
of the Iraqi crisis. Let us pray, therefore, that the Lord will inspire all
parties involved to have courage and farsightedness. Certainly, the
political leaders of Baghdad have the urgent duty to fully cooperate with
the international community to eliminate every motive for an armed
intervention. I address a pressing appeal to them: the fate of their fellow
citizens must always have priority!"
"But I would also like to remind the member countries of the United
Nations, in particular those who comprise the Security Council, that the use
of force represents the last recourse, after having exhausted every other
peaceful solution, according to the well-known principles of the U.N.
Charter.
"And this is why - in the face of the tremendous consequences that an
international military operation would have for the peoples of Iraq and the
equilibrium of the entire Middle East region, already so extremely tried, as
well as for the extremes that could come from it - I say to everyone: there
is still time to negotiate; there is still room for peace; it is never too
late for mutual understanding and for continuing to dialogue.
"Reflecting on one's own duty, committing oneself to effective
negotiations does not mean humiliating oneself, but rather working
responsibly towards peace. We Christians are convinced that authentic and
lasting peace is not only the fruit of the necessary political agreements
and understandings between individuals and peoples, but it is a gift of God
to all those who submit to Him and accept with humility and gratitude the
light of His love."
John Paul II at one point interrupted his appeal with off-the-cuff
remarks, saying: "I belong to that generation that lived through and
survived World War II. I have the duty of telling all young people, and
those younger than me who have not had this experience: 'Never again war!',
as Paul VI said in his first visit to the United Nations. We must do
everything possible! We know well that it is not possible to ask for peace
at all costs. But we all know how great, how very great, this responsibility
is. Therefore, prayer and penance!"
ANG/APPEAL PEACE/... VIS 20030317 (500)
VATICAN, Mar 18, 03 (CWNews.com) -- US President George W. Bush has assumed
a heavy moral burden by saying his intention to go to war against Iraq, the
Vatican has warned.
In response to the American leader's announcement that the US will soon
launch a military assault, the Holy See issued a terse one-sentence
statement: "Whoever decides that all peaceful means that international law
has put at our disposition have been exhausted assumes a serious
responsibility before God, his conscience and history."
VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2003 (VIS) - The following declaration was made today
by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office:
"The Holy See has learned with deep pain of the development of the latest
events in Iraq. On the one hand, it is to be regretted that the Iraqi
government did not accept the resolutions of the United Nations and the
appeal of the Pope himself, as both asked that the country disarm. On the
other hand, it is to be deplored that the path of negotiations, according to
international law, for a peaceful solution of the Iraqi drama has been
interrupted.
"Given these circumstances, it was learned with satisfaction that the
various Catholic institutions in Iraq continue to perform their activities
of assisting those populations. To contribute to this work of solidarity
even the Apostolic Nunciature, headed by Archbishop Fernando Filoni, will
remain open in this period in its office in Baghdad."
OP/IRAQ/NAVARRO-VALLS VIS 20030320 (170) |
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